Faith that Lifts

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If you can prevent your five senses from dictating your actions, then faith will lift you out of disappointment and doubt - Marilyn Hickey


 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 
Hebrews 11:6 NLT

I read this bible verse and I began to pray like Jesus' disciples, "lord increase our faith", and then I tried, and tried by my will, to stir up faith, even one as small as a mustard seed. If you've ever seen a mustard seed, you'd agree with me it can't be that difficult to work up that tiny bit of faith.  I told myself if I can muster up faith as small as that, surely it would get me over this challenge - at least thats what the bible says....

But no, I have seen from the scripture and by revelation, that it doesn't work quite that way.  With God, nothing comes by sheer force of will, following that way is a recipe for disappointment and frustration. Laying claim to the  promises of God, by our own will and expecting Him to act according to our will, actually plays out like spiritual manipulation, and one cannot force God's hand in that way.

God has said in His word;
  "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty"  -          Zechariah 4:6 

 The 'International Children's Bible' puts it this way;

  “You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power. The power will come from my Spirit,’ says the Lord of heaven’s armies -Zechariah 4:6 ICB.

Faith that pleases God and moves mountains, is one that comes from the place of surrender, not by our effort and 'trying' but by our 'TRUSTING' and surrender. This means we do not yield to our  sensory promptings and natural propensity to device and work out our own course of action but first to surrender and seek God's help and guidance. 

God did not make humanity to be self sustaining, He alone is sovereign and sufficient in Himself. Therefore, He is not surprised nor disappointed by our weakness or brokenness neither is he afraid of our anger or questions, so we do not have to mask or hide.  When you do not understand or are fearful, lay it all out, tell him how you really feel. He wants to see your honest emotions, your surrender and submission to his will.  This draws you closer to His heart, which is where he wants you to be - in Him, trusting in his generous love and kindness to see you through. The bible says, " a broken spirit and a contrite  heart, God will not spurn". The Message translation brings it home to us in  this paraphrase:
..." Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice". 
Psalm 51:16‭-‬17 MSG. 

I love this quote by Pete Briscoe that says,  "to trust is to live by faith", I have quoted it previously as is in times past, but I'd like to expand it here a little further in this way:           

 "To trust is to live by faith, it is to take your eyes off of what feels right in the natural sense and focus in on God with childlike trust in his power and ability to work for and lead you by his Spirit in the inner man". 

The way God works, and what He leads you to do may not make sense to you, much less to the people around, but 'trusting even when you don't understand', is sincere faith that pleases Him, one that lifts out of doubt and disappointment, and overturns challenges.


Rita Oladiran 
Photo credits: Anne Neilson








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